Raleigh or Durham, NC recommendations?

[JustinsMama 1]

Hello all,

I am currently going to the seminars next week of Dr. Paul Enochs and Dr. Joseph Moran and was wondering if anyone had any good words to say about them or anyone else in the Raleigh/Durham area.

Thanks in advance!

[Lexiegirl 0]

I am scheduled for Monday. So far, I have been very comfortable with Dr. Enochs.

[JustinsMama 1]

Are you scheduled for the actual procedure Monday? I spoke to soon, the first seminar date that isn't full for Dr. Enoch's isn't until December 4th. I'm wondering if I can show up this coming Tuesday on the night of his seminar to see if there are any no-shows and maybe I can get in - guess it's worth a try. Thanks for your response and let us know how it goes!

[Lexiegirl 0]

Yup it is at 3:25 on Monday afternoon. I am bummed about it not being in the morning. I still hope to go home that evening. I am concerned about people having several days liquid diet prior to. I was just told, nothing after midnight on Sunday. There are people who work at Rex who are also using Dr. Enochs and that made me feel good.

I am excited, but nervous too. My girlfriend had a gastric by-pass on Monday and had complications because of her gallbladder and did not leave the hospital until today.

I know it is not a competition, but I am a little sad that she will lose her weight much faster than I will. I am also worried that I might not lost enough wieght to make me happy. I need to lose 130-150 lbs.

I will think happy thoughts! Good luck to you at the seminar. Dr. Enochs is great!

[JustinsMama 1]

Sending well wishes to your friend. I look at it this way, gastric bypass may be a quicker weight loss, but there are more risks involved both for the surgery and afterwards. I've also read that once all is said and done (or once all the weight most people lose from WL surgery is done) the lapband people's weight loss might only be about 5% less than the more drastic WL surgeries. May I ask how long it took you to have your surgery scheduled once you attended the seminar or got a consult? My insurance is BCBS of NC (PPO) and I called them the other day to see if it was covered on the plan we are on - I was told it was covered as long as I was approved. I'm just wondering if it's going to be a long drawn out process or could it be done within a few months of consult. One last question, does Dr. Enochs perform this surgery at WakeMed Cary? Thanks again and congrats!

[Lexiegirl 0]

We have the same insurance. I have the 80/20 plan. Thanks for the well wishes to my friend. We went to Dr. Enochs seminar on July 31. Blue Cross approved as soon as Dr. Enochs staff put the package together. I ended up having to have my gallbladder out (10/12), or I would have had surgery earlier. He could not do the lap band and gallbladder removal the same day because the gallbladder is a "dirty" organ and the lapband leaves something in the body that could get infected. He is able to do gastric and gallbladder at the same time because of nothing being left in.

I think he only does it at Rex, but not sure. I think his support groups are in Cary. The only funky thing is that there is a lot of debt. I still owe Rex $600 after insurance for the first round of tests, and $1000 from the gallbladder and $200 to the anesthsiologist from the gallbladder. I am pretty sure that I will owe another $200 this time for anesthscia and my part of the procedure is $500. That is a ton of money and Rex doesn't allow you to make payments beyond 4 months unless you get on a payment plan that charges interest. There is also the unreimbursed $500 fee from Dr. Enochs office and probably $200 in co-pays to specialists. All told it is about $3000 out of pocket, which is not bad agaisnt the back drop of better health for the rest of my life--but is scary when we mostly live check to check.

[JustinsMama 1]

Ouch, yes that is alot of money. BCBS told me it was covered after I meet the deductible which is $1750, so I guess that's not including any of the pre-testing required. I already had to have my gallbladder out about 5 years ago so at least I know that part can't hold me up. Well go get some rest for your big day on Monday and thanks again for the info!

[skyeblu79 0]

I had my surgery done in Denver, CO but I went to Dr. Enochs for my aftercare. I only went 3 times. The first time was just to meet him and he told me to get an upper GI. The 2nd time was supposed to be my 1st fill. I didn't get the fill b/c he said I had a seroma. I came back around 2 weeks later to try my fill again and he couldn't locate my port.

I wasn't comfortable with him, so I didn't go back again. My thoughts were maybe he was inexperienced with fills. I also felt that he really wasn't listening to how I was feeling. Looking back, I wonder if he would have tried to use fluro. I know he didn't offer it, but maybe if can be done @ an additional cost.

I was able to get a lot of my $$ back since I didn't/wouldn't go back to him. I had to pay an upfront yearly program fee. I don't think I would ever do that again, unless there was some way I could try them out first. I had asked about Dr. Moran and I have heard good things. I know he used to work w/Dr. Moran. I might have used him, but he also had a program fee that was about $1,000 more a year (if I am remembering correctly).

[JustinsMama 1]

Thanks for the advice. I've heard more things about Dr. Enochs than Dr. Moran but I'm going to try to attend both their seminars. Maybe I should look for someone out at Duke University too.

[skyeblu79 0]

Sorry I didn't proof read my post. I meant to say Dr. Moran used to work with Dr. Enoch @ the same practice.

Good luck with whatever you decide

[JustinsMama 1]

thanks again!

[Beachbon 0]

If anyone is looking for a great doctor, please consider Dr. Scott Bovard who starts soon with Duke. He did mine in January 2007, but has decided to move south. He's great! Pass his name on.

[prettyface30 0]

Hi! I am new to posting on forums so please bear with me. I am having my lapband surgery on January 14 at Rex hospital and Dr. Enochs will be performing my surgery. I was searching for anyone else that had seen Dr. Enochs. I read that you were going to try to get into the Nov. 13 seminar. I was wondering if you did because I was there too. The process has gone pretty fast for me, and I am nervous and excited. I would love to talk to someone else in the area that has had or will be having the surgery. I really like Dr. Enochs. He is very knowledgeable and thorough. He has also been performing lapband surgery for quite a while in comparison to most bariatric surgeons in NC. I went to a seminar at Duke because I live in Hillsborough and I felt that their program was too big and was worried that I would be just a number. I do not feel that way with Dr. Enochs. His staff has been so nice to me. Also, I did not like the thought that my surgery could be at Durham Regional. If you would like to share any more info or just chat I would welcome the support. Thanks!

[Lexiegirl 0]

Hi Pretty,

I had surgery with Dr. Enochs on 11/12 and my girlfriend had a gastric the week before. We love, love, triple love Dr. Enochs. He has an excellent bedside manner. Three people from my office are getting bariatric sugery with him, because he is wonderful. Everyone in his office is helpful, and he knows what he is doing.

We went to a session at Duke and they were so negative about the lap band, that we were instantly turned off. The thing I like about Dr. Enochs the most, is that he doesn't push the surgery on anyone, and he is very honest. I hope this helps. Please let me know.

[nc_longhorn 0]

I had mine done at Duke four weeks ago. I have been very happy with Dr. Aurora Pryor. The support staff there can be a little frustrating at times, but the nutritionist and medical staff are really great.